[Nerindel]

Dúlrain

Dúlrain's watched as Rauthain resumed his place by the slowly dying fire; the older mans words fresh in his mind. But he felt confident that although Naiore had taken much from his brother, she had not truly possessed him, he was always the stronger willed of both of them and that he lived when so many that had crossed Naiore’s path had not, only strengthened his belief that he was not under her influence.

Kaldir had every opportunity to rid the Ravennor of one of her pursuers, but he did not. Some of the friend that he remembered remained, albeit shattered fragments. No, he pursues her, of that, I am certain. He thought bolstering his convictions. He watched cautiously the tree line through the orangey glow of the fire. An owl screeched somewhere in the darkness, but all was still, the beauty and peace seemed a distant reality to Dúlrain. his gaze fell on his companions, did they like him long for an end, the war was supposed to end with the downfall of Sauron and the return of the king, but still they fought those who refused to give in to the new age, the age of men. Dúlrain was tired, but he could not give up on hi Kings Wish, peace, true peace throughout the reunited kingdom and beyond.

Yes he tired, he longed to wander these lands not as a hunter, but at a more leisurely pace, taking the time to appreciate its simple beauty, perhaps even finding some peaceful corner were he could take a wife and raise a family, without fear or worry. He laughed at his own fancies then rose to wake Maethor for his watch. Waking the younger man he reported that all had been quiet, then drawing his sword and laying it next to him he lay down and drifted into an uneasy sleep, filled with memories old and new, finally ending with the image of the southern woman, their was something about her image that drew him into a more restful slumber.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Amandur

Several hours had passed uneventful, the only sounds being the usual nocturnal actives of the forest, a soft moan caught his attention, he crouched balancing on the bough of the tree the string of his bow taunt in his hand, his eyes quickly sought for the owner of the moan only to realise it had come from the camp! Léspheria! He thought wildly scanning the camp were he had left her. She was still there but her body twitched and convulsed under the light of the fire, her sudden scream, threw him into action. Throwing his bow over his shoulder he leapt from is perch, drawing his sword as he ran the distance between the trees and the low burning fire. his eye wildly search for an unseen enemy, turning round once and convincing himself that they were along he dropped his sword and knelt down beside her, taking her hands in his right hand and pressing the back of his right hand against her forehead.

She was burning up, though her hands where clammy and cold. He fumbled with the water skin attached to his belt and in his frustration and hurry, he pulled it free snapping the leather strap that held it in place, but he paid it no heed. Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulled out an unused handkerchief, soaked it completely in the still cool water and then placed it delicately upon her brow. Her delicate elven features contorted into an image of shear pain. She was fighting some kind of battle that he could not see; he only prayed that she was winning.

'What ever ails you my love, you can defeat it! We can defeat it!' he whispered kissing her forehead as he removed the chief to wring it out and soak it once more. When he had returned north, he had thought to ask her to come with him. But, although he knew she cared deeply for him it always seemed that she held back, or perhaps he was just wrong and she did not feel for him in the same way. But he loved her and there was nothing in the world that would change that, he would just have to deal with it.

Just then her eyes snapped opened, 'We must leave at once, Vanwe is in trouble' but before he could argue, she rose to her feet, he too had rose, just in time to catch her as she stumbled. 'in my pack ... miruvor' she whispered hoarsely, he gently guided her to her pack and searched through it till he found the small glass phial, he quickly unstopped it and held it to her lips, she took a few sips then pushed the phial towards him.

'You have not slept, you too must drink!' she urged him gentle. he nodded and took the phial after he had taking enough of the liquid to drive away his tiredness, he helped her to her horse, he could see that the pain still lingered so he did not press her for answers, but set about removing any signs that anyone had camped here. Once satisfied he mounted his horse, nodding that he was ready. Léspheria he could see was still had thing weighing heavy on her mind, so he moved slightly ahead to pick up the trail, it was not as easy to follow as before and they moved slow in the darkness, though it will not be long until morning he thought, looking at the low moon between the trees.

He turned to make sure Léspheria was still behind, but her usually bright warm face was now serene and emotionless, Hardened! He thought he had seen it happened to so many of his brethren, especially during the war, but to see it on the face of the one he loved tore at his heart. However, perhaps this was the only way. He thought sadly turning back to the trail.

From the faint tracks of the rangers ahead, he guessed that if Dúlrain and the others rested till dawn, then he and Léspheria should catch them up sometime the next day, but already the tracks of Naiore and her companions were being lost as the dusty trail turned to springy moss and long grass.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Léspheria

After finishing her tea, Léspheria had drifted into a relaxed sleep. She breathed heavily as she leaned against a large dark fir high in the valley of Imladris, thrill and excitement coursing through her, revitalising her. She laughed as she heard a young elven boys’ melodic singing.

Seek you high,
Seek you low,
Seek you near and far,
In the hills and in the trees
Seek you everywhere!


She chuckled behind her hands as the dark haired boy who was her brother drew near, a broad grin spreading across his face as he heard her chuckle. She tried hard to muffle her excitement as Lóthaniel inched closer and closer to the tree the young female elfling hid behind. However, just as he was about to leap behind the tree and startle her out, she gave an excited squeal and ran laughing out of his reach. Running head first into the arms of her mother, a second later her brother too found himself caught in her loving embrace. 'Caught you both!' she laughed lightly, and then the three of them laughed heartily together.

The laughter suddenly changed the softness gone, cold and empty, the trees, valley, the two merry children all gone, black stone encircled her like a tomb, no not her she shuddered recognising the scene. 'He will fall and what then cousin? where then will you find the answers you seek ?' her mothers voice was calm and unemotional, though her pain tore through Léspheria like a raging storm, as she fought to control her mothers surge of emotions, she heard Naiore's velvety voice, 'why from you my dear cousin!' she whispered gripping her cousins head firmly in her hands.


'Now cousin if you will not give me the answer I seek, you will tell me how to break the defences of our kin in Lothlorien!' she whispered in her mind, 'No!' her mother said through gritted teeth, you shall have nothing more from me.' Naiore squealed with excitement 'good cousin, resist I would have it no other way, but remember who is the stronger!' Léspheria felt herself scream as the intensity of the intrusion increased.

No, this was no longer a dream, wave after wave of fear and pain washed over her, the vision faded and only the assault of emotions remained, and she could feel her muscles spasm with the ferocity of the intrusion. She struggled to rebuilt the defensive wall Galadriel had taught her to build, the same wall that had saved her life when she first encountered the bard Menecin, she pulled happy memories from her life love, friendships, loyalty, hope...


'Where does fear spawn, Daughter? Léspheria's horror shattered her defence and a tidal wave of uncontrollable anger took its place, long years of pent up anger and hatred flooded from the dark prison in her mind. ' Faarea! (Enough!)' She commanded. ‘I will not let you do this to another of our blood kin! pulling all the control she had left she rebuilt the wall pulling every good memory she could, hoping that it would be enough. Pushing her memories of the growing friendship, she and Vanwe had briefly shared at the forsaken inn to the forefront in the hopes that some of the emotions would strengthen and protect Vanwe from her mother’s onslaught.

Léspheria's eyes snapped open to see Amandur knelt over her a cold cloth held to her forehead, his brow knitted with worry and fear. 'We must leave at once, Vanwe is in trouble' she told him frankly, quickly rising to her feet, she stumbled as the wall she was struggling to maintain drained her physically, but Amandur was there to catch her. 'in my pack ... miruvor' she whispered hoarsely, he gently guided her to her pack and searched through it till he found the small glass phial, he quickly unstopped it and held it to her lips, she took a few sips then pushed the phial towards him.

'You have not slept, you too must drink!' she urged him gentle, once he had drunk she instructed him to help her to her horse, he did all that she asked with care and haste but still his brow knitted with concern. As she watched him fill in the fire pit and hide all traces that they had ever been there, she felt a surge of warmth, which only increased as he mounted his horse and came up beside her. With a silent nod, that he was ready, they continued on into the remainder of the night, hoping to gain some distance on their quarry, perhaps even to catch up to the other rangers.

However, Léspheria had no delusions, she knew that her rush of anger would have betrayed her, giving Naiore warning that she was near, if in fact they were near at all, her sharp eyes scanned the passing tree lines for signs of impending danger. She now had to put faith in that Vanwe was strong enough to survive her mother and that she saw the strength in the emotions she had tried to share with her. Her only fear was that Vanwe would not see these emotions within herself, the friendships she had made and the people she had touched with her kindness, Fimbriel, Devorin, Benia, not all saw the evils of her mother in her fair face.

She too would now have to be more careful, although her faith in her emotions could be her strength it could also be her weakness. Naiore would now know this and would not hesitate to use them against her. Her gaze fell on Amandur’s back tall and straight as he rode following the weak trail. A silver tear roll down her cheek, she did love him and she always had, but the realisation pained her, for now more than ever she would have to hide her emotions for him, least Naiore use them against her.

Using the techniques taught her by her kin she drove all thoughts bar one from her mind, closing it to any that may think to pry, her face now serene and calm devoid of emotion. One thought only in her mind… That it must end!